AN Egham man said his wife was so badly affected by a burglary at their home that she had refused to sleep in their bedroom again until it had been scrubbed clean.

The couple were one of the victims of long term criminal David Stanley, who stole simply to feed his drug habit.

Guildford Crown Court heard of the devastation caused to families in Egham and Virginia Water whose homes were burgled by heroin addict Stanley last year, with priceless sentimental items among his haul.

Several victims were in court to witness proceedings.

The court was told on Monday that the jobless father-of-three travelled from High Wycombe in Buckingshire to steal more than £16,000 of jewellery from one property alone.

Stanley, 50, of no fixed address, admitted three charges of burglary and one of burglary with intent to steal.

He was jailed for four years and two months in front of four of his victims who were in court to see justice finally done.

One of Stanley’s victims lost priceless jewellery, some belonging to her late mother, from her home in Warwick Avenue, Egham, last year.

Judge Christopher Critchlow delayed sentencing to enable the court to hear a victim impact statement prepared by the woman.

“I think it is important for the voice of victims to be heard in this court,” said the judge.

Two houses in Beechmont Avenue, Virginia Water, were among those targeted by Stanley.

The court was told that Stanley was hooked on heroin and had a history of offending stretching back more than 30 years.

The fourth property to be ransacked by him was that of Chris Fisher and his wife Hillery in Limes Road, Egham.

The Fishers were on holiday in Australia when they received news of the burglary.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Fisher said the biggest effect was the cost of improving security at their home.

He spoke of the devasating effect of Stanley’s crime and how it had changed their lives.

He said: “Hillery felt it was a horrible intrusion.

“She did not want to sleep in our bedroom until it had been scrubbed, because she knew he had been up there, going through her jewellery.

“He stole about half a dozen items.

“Some of them are of great sentimental value, including a silver pendant I bought her on our anniversary.

“So I was pretty unhappy about that.”

During Monday’s hearing, Judge Critchlow told Stanley that the presence of the Fishers and other victims in the courtroom underlined the devastation felt by victims of domestic break-ins.

Judge Critchlow said the defendant burgled the homes to raise money to buy drugs.

He noted that Stanley had sent a letter of apology to his victims via the court, but the judge added that he was sceptical of its sincerity.

He concluded: “Burglars, unfortunately, don’t think of the effect of their crimes on their victims.”

Ed Butler, defending, had told the court that his client had not fully appreciated the impact that his behaviour had had on others because he had been on drugs when he carried out the crimes.